The late Robert Webber wrote; “If you wish your church to become a faith-forming community, it is necessary to establish continuity between ministries of evangelism, discipleship, and spiritual formation.” In other words we need to examine our evangelism, discipleship, spiritual formation in light of a continuous and seamless approach. If it is not we leave new believers floundering about to find their way on their own. Although there is a beginning to faith in Christ, there should not be a comma, period, semi colon, in a believers` ongoing development. Conversion needs to be seen as a process. It has a beginning, but it needs to be understood as a journey towards spiritual formation.

How then do we develop this important continuity? Could it be in the deepening connection between the life of Jesus in us and in our everyday lifestyle? Look at the first century church. Its rapid growth was partly due to the observed lifestyle of the faithful within a pagan world. The backdrop of Christian faith alongside that reality was stark and the results were dramatic.

In Acts 4:13 we read “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” The dramatic change in the lives of the Apostles was more than obvious. They went from being timid, unsure, afraid, cowardly, unaware, to brazen, bold, and enlightened. This change in the lives of Jesus followers continued on into the second and third centuries after Christ. Tertullian, one of the great early church father’s, and who lived from 160-220 AD said; “See how these Christians love each other.”

It could be argued then that successful evangelism is the type which models a spiritual character born out of a daily life with and in Jesus, a life of holiness and prayer. The Apostles had a life changing experience with Christ, beginning at the resurrection and powered up at Pentecost. The Christian faith that Tertullian witnessed matched early church Christian transformation. Several things define the success of our post evangelism experience. This success produces a depth of discipleship, and encourages ongoing spiritual formation.

1. Counting the cost of following Christ.
   • The contemporary saying “You get what you pay for.” although perhaps lacking in elegance probably has significant truth attached to it. For years the church has defined evangelical success quantitatively. The danger in this approach is that it has not produced disciples that have understood the cost, nor the commitment involved in following Christ. Occasionally that success is defined in commitment to the local church, or the denomination. It is rather to Christ, and to Christ alone that evangelism has its beginning. Conversion needs to be addressed in its cost, a cost that involves one’s life, and all of it. Jesus helps us to understand this as recorded in Luke 9:62. “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Jesus is not saying that we neglect those we love, but that a new perspective and purpose develops.
2. Understanding the decision.
   • The decision to accept Christ may not always be clearly understood. The following question is hardly inappropriate: “Do spiritual seekers truly know what it means to give one’s self to Christ?" In part, this question reintroduces the cost, but it introduces another issue. Who is Jesus, and what does he require of us? N. T. Wright in his book “After You Believe” writes: “Jesus is the one true living stone,” and his followers are the “living stones by which the true Temple is built, bringing the presence of God into the wider world.” In other words it is all about Jesus, the real one.
3. The development of Christian character.
   • Thus the question “what happens after you believe?” In our acceptance of Christ, do we now think that all that is left is to hang out and wait for Heaven? Or upon our acceptance of him are we then carefully introduced to the exciting task of establishing his kingdom on earth? What better way to begin this process but through personal character change. “See how these Christians love each other.” A life dedicated to holiness, and prayerful living begins this process. And people will take notice.

Continuity between our evangelism, discipleship, spiritual formation, hinges on; 1) Counting the cost, 2) Understanding who Jesus is, 3) The development of Christian character.

The Christian faith is rooted in Jesus Christ. And in the 21st century where relationships are so important, faith as lifestyle is crucial. The challenge to the church then is to stay ahead of the curve. The key is to remain relevant to the culture. When this occurs engagement is much more easy. This can happen without compromise. Ongoing innovation and creativity however will be important.

This is the final article in a series submitted by Dr. Bryan Hagerman (Regal Road Baptist Church). We invite your comments on the form below as we dialogue about these issues. Comments submitted will be posted after approval is granted.